it was up to mitt romney to define himself in this debate. he had not done so. he defined himself as kind of an aggressive jerk. >>shepard: mitt romney? >>guest: he was cutting off the moderator, he would not let the president speak. he defined himself that way. >> i didn't think the president was gagged. the president had an opportunity to speak. the president allowed romney himself to become an acceptable alternative after spending hundreds of millions beating up romney, 67 million saw a guy who came out was very strong and made the case for himself and against the president. the president looked very weak. >>shepard: part of the strategy was, you may not all like me, even some in the base. obviously i didn't do everything i said but there is no one else so it is my way or the highway. now, ed is suggesting there is an acceptable alternate, at least for that group in the middle. >>guest: i think the president is running on his record, particularly adds we look to foreign policy today, they are right. younger people have lived in the world where all we know is